Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has been elected Vice Chair of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council, marking a significant milestone for the country.
In announcing the election, Tijani described the appointment as a “profound honour” and expressed gratitude to the ITU leadership and member states for the confidence they have placed in him.
“I am deeply honoured to be elected Vice Chair of the ITU Council. I thank the ITU leadership and Member States for their trust, and I look forward to collaborating closely with Council Chair Ms Cristiana Flutur and fellow members to advance our shared mission of inclusive digital development,” he stated.
Bosun Tijani highlighted how this role aligns with Nigeria’s national digital priorities, particularly those set out in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Through this new responsibility, I intend to promote global cooperation on resilient infrastructure, meaningful access, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and trusted digital public infrastructure. Building on Nigeria’s ongoing progress, I aim to help shape digital policies that empower people worldwide.”
“As Minister, I view this appointment as an opportunity to amplify Nigeria’s voice on the global stage while reinforcing our domestic commitments. From expanding connectivity in underserved communities to equipping young Nigerians with vital digital skills, our national agenda aligns closely with the ITU’s vision of leaving no one behind in the digital revolution.”
Tijani’s election is the first time in nearly 50 years that Nigeria has held a leadership position on the ITU Council. This comes at a crucial time when international cooperation is vital to ensuring a secure and sustainable digital future.
The ITU is the United Nations’ specialised agency for information and communication technologies. Its Council, comprising 48 member states, governs the Union between its plenipotentiary conferences.
